Xerophyte

Central Spines

Central and upper spines 4, pinkish to bright red, becoming dirty yellow or grey, spreading, stiff, straight, strongly flattened and angled, erect, 2,5-6cm long. (up to 3 mm in diameter).

Seeds

1,2-1,3/1 mm dark/brown black.

Roots

Fibrous.

Flowers

Subterminal, infundibuliform, bright yellow, up to 6 cm long and in diameter. Buds reddish brown with a few weak spines. Stigma lobes pale yellow with barely a hint of green. This feature of yellow is shared with a few other Baja California species such as Echinoceres brandegeei, Echinoceres ferreirianus and Echinoceres pensilis.

Blooming Season

E. hancockii is notorious for being shy to flower, and blooms may appear from spring to autumn.

Ribs

8 to 10, acute, 8-15 mm wide.

Stem

Globose or short-cylindrical, light to dark green 5-30 cm tall, 5.5-7 cm cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

Radial and lower spines 7 to12, 1,5-2,5 cm long.

Fruits

Globose, green, becoming red, spiny, drying up but not breaking. Ripens in 4-8 months.